I knew that a piece of living history was gone forever. It made me sad, but also thankful that I got to touch that history.

Bill Werber, was the oldest living ex-major leaguer and a former teammate of Babe Ruth. Werber was 100 years old when he died Thursday. The quick, initial blurb from the Associated Press said that he was a career .271 hitter who led the American League in stolen bases three times. Werber played with Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx and Lefty Grove in stints with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.

But what I fondly remember was the phone conversation I had with Werber in May, 2006. I was doing a story on Barry Bonds passing Babe Ruth on the all-time home run list. That headline to that story: “The joy of being; Babe Ruth’s sheer love of the game is something Bonds will never match”

I had tracked down Werber in an assisted living center in North Carolina. At 97, his mind was razor sharp, his sense of humor warming. His affection for “The Babe” was real and enthusiastic. Despite Ruth’s scandals and indiscretions, the public saw Ruth as, as Werber put it, “a
likable scoundrel.”

“The Babe loved people and people loved the Babe, it’s that
simple,” said Werber, who was with the Yankees’ famous 1927 team that featured the Murderers’ Row lineup. “Sure, the Babe was rough around the edges, but he was this big,
affectionate man, and I don’t think anybody ever loved the game more than the Babe.”

He offered the following anecdote as proof: “I can remember it was like it was yesterday. Ruth and Lou Gehrig came out of Yankee Stadium. Gehrig, who was kind of a private, aloof guy, went straight through the crowd and straight to his car. … But there was the Babe, with kids climbing all over him. He had on these white shoes and tan pants and the kids were messing him
up. But he stood out there and signed autographs with this big grin on his face.”

In 1927, Ruth hit 60 homers, a record that stood for 34 years. In 1930, Werber was on base when Ruth hit one of his homers. Eager to show off his hustle, Werber sprinted home while Ruth strolled around the bases.

“The Babe tipped his hat to the crowd and then sat down beside me,” Weber recalled. “He said, ‘Kid – he called everybody Kid – you don’t have to run when the Babe hits one.”

If the Washington Nationals hadn’t balked at a trade for Willy Taveras a month ago, Tim Redding might be a Rockie today. But once he was non-tendered, becoming a free agent, the chance to chase a childhood dream trumped everything else. Redding, who grew up in New York, has agreed in principle on a one-year, $2.25-million deal with the New York Mets, according to a major league source.

Redding, 30, won 10 games last season for the Nationals, including three victories over the world champion Phillies. Rockies’ general manager Dan O’Dowd wanted to add Redding for depth, but Jason Marquis became a priority once the Cubs agreed to take on Luis Vizcaino’s salary. Redding can make an additional $700,000 in incentives for starts and $500,000 for relief appearances.

Free agent Josh Fogg remains a possibility, and would like to return to Colorado. But given the number of pitchers competing for the Rockies’ 12 available spots on the staff, he might pursue another opportunity as well.

Carl Pavano’s star-crossed career will resume far off Broadway.
The right-hander agreed to a one-year, $1.5-million deal with Cleveland that includes $5.3 million in incentives for games started and innings pitched, a source close to the negotiations told The Denver Post.
Pavano, who will soon be 33, went 4-2 with a 5.77 ERA with the New York Yankees last season. He pitched in just 26 games for the Yankees over four seasons in which he made $40 million. Pavano had also considered returning to the Marlins. However, he was impressed with Cleveland’s aggressive pursuit over the last three weeks, which included dinner with manager Eric Wedge on Monday night.
Pavano’s incentives begin kicking in at 18 starts. He receives less than Mike Hampton received in guaranteed money ($1.5 million to $2 million), but can make much more in incentives. Here’s the breakdown: $100,000 for 18, 20 and 22 starts; $200,000 for 24, 26, and 28 starts; $250,000 for 30 starts; $300,000 for 32 starts; $350,000 for 33 starts; $350,000 for 34 starts; $400,000 for 35 starts; $100,000 for 130, 140 and 150 innings; $150,000 for 160 and 170 innings; $200,000 for 180 innings; $250,000 for 190, 200 and 210 innings; $300,000 for 215 innings; $400,000 for 225 innings; $500,000 for 235 innings.

A confluence of factors led the Rockies to acquiring Jason Marquis, a transaction that will become official tomorrow. He’s a winner, having gone to the playoffs every season of his career. He’s a competitor, posting a 2.51 ERA in his Coors Field cameos. And he’s a hitter, primed to join Mike Hampton, Jason Jennings and Aaron Cook as Rockies’ starters who have commanded respect in the batter’s box.

Marquis, 30, owns a .206 career average — OK, he’s a pitcher, not the everyday left fielder. And last season he hit two home runs with 10 RBIs. The ability to hit can pay dividends in decisions. When a manager trusts a pitcher to handle the bat, he sticks around for an extra inning rather than immediately being pulled for a pinch-hitter at first glance after the fifth inning.

Marquis grew up in New York, and there was some rumblings the Cubs would send him to the Mets. The issue with the Mets is that they are focused on landing a top-of-the-rotation starter, namely Derek Lowe. The two sides remain far apart on dollars, which brings us to Tim Redding.

Redding remains on the Rockies’ radar. And for good reason. He could come in around $3 million, won 10 games for a horrible Nationals’ squad last season and beat the Phillies three times. Redding has commanded the most attention from the Mets and Orioles. If the Lowe sweepstakes drags out, Redding could end up taking an opportunity elsewhere. This is the time of year, with 39 days until spring training and less than half of the players signed, that free agents begin flying off the board.

Look for the Rockies to address bench issues once they have added Marquis. Scott Podsednik and the Rockies have mutual interest. Colorado, however, is offering only a non-guaranteed deal for Podsednik, whose speed could be beneficial even in a reserve role with the departure of Willy Taveras. Colorado added utilityman Luis Gonzalez last week.

Footnotes
The Washington Nationals have signed left-hander Will Ledezma to a $750,000 minor-league deal. … The White Sox agreed with Randy Williams on a $410,000 minor-league deal … As part of Tony Clark’s $800,000 contract with the Diamondbacks, he will receive a $500,000 bonus if traded. It’s a defacto no-trade because Clark wants to finish his career with Arizona.

Judging by the response to my recent column, “Bronx Cheers for Bombers,’ some of you Yankees fans don’t have much of a sense of humor.

Or perhaps I’m just not very funny.

Or perhaps I didn’t make myself clear enough.

My point was: It’s good — and fun — to have a team to “hate.” For me, the Yankees are that team. I thought you’d be proud of that.

Do I wish baseball’s financial landscape was more level, allowing more teams to have a chance to get better and compete? Sure. But that’s not happening, so we have to be content with “flash-in-the-pan seasons” from teams like the Rockies and Rays.

And to those of you who think I hate New York, you’re dead wrong. It’s a great city, maybe the greatest in the world. But that doesn’t mean I can’t have fun and take some pokes at the mighty Yankees.

LAS VEGAS — Even if you didn’t know who Greg Maddux was today, you knew he was somebody. As he walked toward his retirement press conference, a beleaguered gambler at the Bellagio blurted, “the parade just went by.”

Maddux left baseball on his terms. No tears, just thank-yous and recollections.

“It’s hard to walk away, but it’s time. I still think I could play the game, but not as well as I would have liked to,” Maddux said from the dais before a room full of reporters.

To watch Maddux was to witness genius. He’s arguably the greatest living pitcher, as a reporter from the New York Times suggested.

“It’s a great compliment. But I just don’t think of myself that way,” Maddux said.

He finished with 355 victories, four Cy Young awards and a record 18 Rawlings Gold Gloves. Known as a professor, Maddux is famous for outthinking hitters. In a sport that often embraces flame-throwers, the right-hander perfected the art of movement and location on his pitches.

Former Rockies’ star Dante Bichette always said of Maddux, “He’s the most comfortable 0-for-4 in baseball history.” Hitters often left befuddled, grounding out or popping up early in the count on cut-fastballs or evil changeups. Maddux finished his career in the National League West with the Padres and Dodgers. He was never a fan of Coors Field, and in fact, in his second to last start there last season did some damage in the visiting clubhouse after a poor outing.

It was an abberation given his excellence.

Over the last 22 seasons, Maddux received 796 Cy Young votes. Randy Johnson is second at 682, according to information provided by agent Scott Boras. Maddux, who lives with his family in Las Vegas, said he plans to take a year off and will then consider re-entering the game as a coach.

“I am going to miss everything about the game. The game has given me so much. I just hope that I gave back,” Maddux said. “I played the game the way I wanted my teammates to play it.”

LAS VEGAS – The first order of business at baseball’s winter meetings was all about history.
Today it was announced that nine-time all-star and five-time World Series champion Joe Gordon was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee. Gordon, nicknamed “Flash,” died in 1978 at age 63.
Gordon, who played second base for the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Indians from 1938-43 and 1946-50, received 10 of a possible 12 votes from the Veterans Committee members who voted on the pre-1943 ballot. Gordon received votes on 83.3 percent of ballots cast, with at least 75 percent necessary for election. He will be enshrined July 26 at the Induction Ceremony in Cooperstown with any players elected in the Baseball Writers’ Association of America vote, which will be announced Jan. 12.
Former Boston Red Sox great Bobby Doerr, who first played against Gordon in the minor leagues in 1936, said Gordon was an even better hitter than his .268 lifetime average indicated.
“You can take 25 points off Joe’s average playing in Yankee Stadium, which was a very tough place for a right-handed hitter,” Doerr said. “He also played in (five) World Series and I think that says it all.”
“We are thrilled and proud to welcome Joe Gordon to the Hall of Fame family,” said Hall of Fame Chairman of the Board Jane Forbes Clark. “The Veterans Committee for this ballot had the challenge of considering players who retired long ago, but the Hall of Famers and historians on the Committee did their homework with diligence and effort, and we thank them.”
Gordon was the rare second baseman who combined power and slick fielding. He hit 20-or-more homers seven times, drove in 100-plus runs four times and averaged 89 RBIs and 83 runs scored per season.
In 1942, Gordon beat out Boston Red Sox legend Ted Williams for American League MVP. All Williams did that season was win the Triple Crown.
The Hall of Fame also announced that no players on the post-1942 ballot – for players whose big league careers ran between 1943 and 1987 – received enough votes to merit induction into the Hall of Fame.

There’s rarely been a worse time to be unemployed. After two anxious months, Alan Cockrell is going back to work, landing the Seattle Mariners’ hitting job. Rockies’ closer Brian Fuentes, meanwhile, is seeking his next employer. As stated a week ago, Fuentes will reject the Rockies’ salary arbitration offer, a wise move given the number of teams interested in signing him to a multi-year deal.
The Mets are high on that list. They are meeting with a player tonight, but it’s not Fuentes. Fuentes still might dine with the Mets this week. The left-hander and Francisco Rodriguez are the Mets’ top two targets. New York is expected to take an aggressive strategy, offering deals to Fuentes, Rodriguez and Kerry Wood to see who says “yes” first.

If that trio takes it time, the Mets could move forward in their pursuit of Colorado’s Huston Street as a setupman, while shifting focus to a closer like Seattle’s J.J. Putz.

The Rockies arrive in Las Vegas — not much about this place has changed since I was last here a few years ago, bright lights, steaks, sirens and cowboys everywhere for the rodeo — looking to add a left-handed reliever and perhaps a starter.

It will be a bit of an upset if center fielder Willy Taveras isn’t traded given the depth at the position following the acquisition of Carlos Gonzalez. The Nationals are interested in Taveras. Manager Manny Acta has been a fan of Taveras’ for a few years.

Cockrell was the Rockies’ hitting instructor in 2007 and 2008.

“This is a good situation,” Cockrell said tonight. “It’s an all new staff going in together.”

Brian Fuentes’ Rockies career will close out with a salary offer, not a save.
In order to receive two compensatory draft picks next June, the Rockies, as expected, offered their most accomplished closer ever salary arbitration Monday, according to a team spokesman.
This was long the plan after the Rockies rebuffed trade offers last July, feeling the proposals were no better than the potential draft picks. When Fuentes signs elsewhere – he plans to meet with Mets’ officials either in Las Vegas next week at the winter meetings or in New York later on – the Rockies will get two additional picks in the top 50.
If the team he signs with drafts in the second half of the first round, like the Mets for instance, the Rockies would receive the 25th pick overall plus a sandwich pick prior to the second round.
Fuentes has until Sunday to accept the Rockies’ offer. Agent Rick Thurman ruled out a return to the Rockies this winter given the interest and potential multi-year deals available from the Mets, Angels, Tigers, Indians and Cardinals, among others.

The Rockies like free agent Jeremy Affeldt, but haven’t spoken to his agent. They will be looking to add a veteran bullpen arm as insurance, but aren’t making robocalls to any free agents. The reason is clear, as GM Dan O’Dowd explained as he left the St. Regis Hotel for the airport this afternoon. The Rockies want to see what comes of a Matt Holliday trade, and to a lesser degree a possible Garrett Atkins trade, before moving aggressively in any other direction.

“I am not going to get into the free agent thing until the market kind of filters itself out and we kind of get through the trading period and see what comes back,” O’Dowd said.

O’Dowd wouldn’t speculate on trade scenarios with Holliday. Multiple executives have told me that they believe Philadelphia and Oakland are the most likely partners. Teams like Tampa Bay and St. Louis could also get involved based on their identified needs. Again, with the Rockies open-minded on what they want back, this is a fluid situation.

Atkins continues to get interest from the AL Central, with teams like the Twins and Indians kicking the tires. The Indians have also talked with the agent for Casey Blake and GM Mark Shapiro said that he doesn’t have to necessarily have to land a third baseman because he could shift Jhonny Peralta to the position.

In other Rockies’ news:
–Agent Rick Thurman of the Beverly Hills Sports Council reacted angrily to a Rocky Mountain News blog today claiming that he had proposed a four-year, $44-million deal with the New York Mets for closer Brian Fuentes. Thurman called it “a total fabrication.” Teams cannot talk money with free agents from other clubs, only about potential roles and fits. The claim that Thurman broke this rule left him furious. “It was completely irresponsible reporting,” he said.

–Colorado is cautiously encouraged by the progress of left-handed starter Franklin Morales. He’s pitching in Venezuela for Caracas. In his last start, his fastball sat between 90 and 94 miles per hour, according to O’Dowd. He didn’t walk a batter. “I would rather have that, than 94 to 98 with no command.” O’Dowd reiterated that Morales, Jason Hirsh and Greg Reynolds will be guaranteed nothing this spring.

In order to get his star shortstop started, manager Clint Hurdle stopped him Sunday.

A struggling Troy Tulowitzki was replaced in the lineup by Clint Barmes in the series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the hope that a breather will help one of the game’s best young players get back on track. Read more…

See ya, tradition. Turn out the lights when you leave.
While progress is necessary, and inevitable, some things are better off left alone. Let’s be honest: opening day in Japan is a mistake. The defending champion Boston Red Sox began the regular season today with a 6-5, 10-inning victory against the Oakland A’s at the Tokyo Dome. Read more…

Tucson — When Wayne Hagin returns to Coors Field on April 23, he’ll get some hugs and a few kisses.

All he’ll get from Todd Helton is a cold shoulder.

Hagin was just named the new play-by-play voice for the Mets on WFAN radio. One of the original voices of the Rockies, Hagin has great pipes, talent, baseball knowledge and a genuine enthusiasm for the game.

But Hagin will forever be remembered in Colorado for his insinuation that Helton used steroids. His words were uttered on an ESPN radio station during spring training of 2005. Helton has never forgiven him.

In May of 2005, when Hagin came to Denver to call the Cardinals-Rockies series, the Rockies told Hagin to steer clear of Helton. Hagin complied.

“The biggest disappointment to me is that somebody can sit at a microphone and say something and it’s taken as gospel,” Helton said at the time. “I was very disappointed. Until I actually heard a tape of the interview, I wasn’t that upset. When I heard how excited he got, like he actually had some scoop that nobody else had … Thinking about it right now tees me off.”

Helton has got the memory of an elephant, so there’s no way he’s forgotten Hagin’s comment.

Hagin told a New York paper that he and Helton have not spoken since the incident.

“That’s in the past,” he said. “I have left it in the rearview mirror.”

Nashville, Tenn. – The winter meetings’ version of the closing scene – the Rule V draft – closed without the Rockies peeking their head out of the curtain for headlines. But they haven’t staged their final act. Read more…

Willy Taveras, the Rockies’ rocket on the basepaths, takes a seat on the bench tonight. Cory Sullivan takes Taveras’ place in center field. The club hopes resting Taveras tonight, combined with an off day Thursday, will speed up his recovery from a strained right quadriceps. “I use my speed for this offense and I can’t really run like I want to right now,” Taveras said. “It’s getting better, but there is still some soreness and swelling.”

By the numbers: With a win tonight, the Rockies would create some unique history by becoming the first team to sweep both the Yankees and Mets in the same season. Of course, interleague play is in just its 11th season, but it’s never been done. In the five games the Rockies have taken from New York teams, the Rockies have hit .329, compared to .212 from the boys from the Big Apple. The Rockies’ ERA is 1.80, the New York teams’ is 6.75.

Earlier this season, Rockies fans became jittery whenever Rockies relievers took the mound. But Thursday afternoon, the fans fully expected the bullpen to close out the sweep over the New York Yankees.

Troy Tulowitzkiâ€™s unassisted triple play Sunday afternoon against the Braves has landed him in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Or, at least, the hat and jersey the Rockies shortstop wore will be going to Cooperstown, N.Y.
â€œItâ€™s an unbelievable honor,â€? Tulowitzki said this afternoon. â€œTo be part of the Hall of Fame in any way is amazing.â€?
One item that wonâ€™t be going to the Hall of Fame, at least not right away, is the baseball. Tulowitzki threw it to first baseman Todd Helton at the playâ€™s conclusion and Helton tossed it into the stands.
â€œWeâ€™re hoping to find out who caught it so we can get it back,â€? Tulowitzki said.

Dugout chatter
â€œI feel great, but Iâ€™ve just had some swings where I havenâ€™t been able to throw any base knocks out there, but Iâ€™m eager to get out there and play.â€?
— Jeff Baker, who starts tonight in right field ahead of Brad Hawpe. Baker has just one hit in his last 23 at-bats to fall to a season-low .242.

Numbers of note
Tonightâ€™s game features three of baseballâ€™s hottest hitters. Since April 13, Giants left fielder Barry Bonds is hitting .500 (16-for-32), Rockies first baseman Todd Helton .481 (25-for-52) and Rockies left fielder Matt Holliday .462 (30-for-65).

Looking to provide a spark, if not rest from some struggling players, manager Clint Hurdle has provided a different look for today’s series finale. It’s hard to blame him. Nothing else has worked in New York, where the team has lost 17 of its past 19 games and been outscored 109-54. Read more…

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.